Is Rheumatology Right for You? 2025 Salary, Education & Certification Guide

 

💰 Salary Range (USA, 2025)

Rheumatologist salaries in the U.S. vary based on experience, location, and practice settings:

  • Entry-Level / 25th Percentile: ~$274,000/year

  • Median / Average: Around $313,500/year (~$150/hr)

  • 75th Percentile: ~$353,500/year

  • Top Earners / 90th Percentile: Up to $386,000/year, with some opportunities reaching $800,000 in specialized or high-demand roles

Other sources show similar ranges: ~$297,700 average (Indeed), high end at $421,900

🔍 What They Do

Rheumatologists are board-certified internal medicine physicians (or pediatricians) who diagnose and treat over 100 inflammatory and autoimmune disorders affecting joints, muscles, bones, and connective tissue. Common conditions include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, vasculitis, and fibromyalgia

They perform detailed physical exams, order and interpret blood tests and imaging, formulate treatment plans involving medication, injections, lifestyle guidance, and often coordinate with physical therapists and orthopedic surgeons

🎓 Education & Training Required

Becoming a rheumatologist involves ~11–13 years of post-secondary preparation:

  1. Bachelor’s Degree (~4 years; pre-med/courses)

  2. Medical School (MD or DO) – 4 years

  3. Residency – 3 years in Internal Medicine (or Pediatrics)

  4. Rheumatology Fellowship – 2–3 years specializing in musculoskeletal and autoimmune diseases

📜 Certification

  • Board certification through ABIM in both Internal Medicine and Rheumatology is standard—and often required for hospital privileges

  • Participation in Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requires ongoing CME and periodic re-examinations.

🏛️ Licensing

  • Must pass USMLE (MD) or COMLEX-USA (DO) Steps 1–3

  • Obtain a state medical license, required for legal practice

  • Board certification enhances credentialing but isn’t legally required for licensure

📈 Career & Practice Settings

  • Work environments include outpatient rheumatology clinics, hospitals, academic/research institutions

  • Growing demand due to aging population and rising incidence of autoimmune disorders

  • High job satisfaction often reported, with emphasis on long-term patient care

✅ Summary at a Glance

🔎 AspectDetails
Role                Diagnose & treat autoimmune, inflammatory diseases
Salary Range               $274K entry, $313K average, up to $386K - $800K+ for top earners
Education               ~11–13 years (college → medical school → residency → fellowship)
Certification               ABIM Internal Medicine + Rheumatology; ongoing MOC
Licensing               USMLE/COMLEX + state medical license
Work Settings               Clinics, hospitals, research/academia

🌬️ Pulmonologist: Role, Salary, Education & Credentials (2025)

 

💵 Pulmonologist Salary Range (USA, 2025)

Pulmonologist earnings vary by experience, location, and practice setting:

  • Minimum (Entry-Level): ~$270,000 - $285,000/year 

  • Median/Average: ~$311,000 - $328,000/year (with many sources around $312k)

  • Maximum (Top Earners): Up to ~$375,000 - $435,000+, depending on bonus/incentives

🔍 What Does a Pulmonologist Do?

A Pulmonologist is a physician specialized in diagnosing and treating lung and respiratory system diseases, including:

  • Asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease, sleep apnea, tuberculosis, lung cancer, pulmonary hypertension, and long-COVID 

  • Conducting diagnostic tests: pulmonary function tests, bronchoscopy, CT scans, sleep studies, pulse oximetry, and thoracentesis 

  • Working in settings like pulmonology clinics, hospitals (especially ICUs), and sleep labs; some also perform interventional pulmonology procedures like tumor removal or fluid drainage 

🎓 Education & Training Path

  • Bachelor's degree (4 years) with pre-med focus

  • Four-year medical school (MD or DO)

  • Three-year Internal Medicine Residency

  • Two‑ to three‑year Pulmonology (and often Critical Care) Fellowship 

➡️ Total training time: ~13–14 years after high school

📜 Certification

  • Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) in Pulmonary Medicine (optionally also Critical Care Medicine) 

  • American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) oversees certification standards 

  • Maintenance of Certification (MOC) requires continuing medical education and periodic assessment

🏛️ Licensing

  • Must pass the USMLE (MD) or COMLEX-USA (DO) exams (Steps 1–3) 

  • Obtain state medical license, which must be renewed periodically

  • Board certification isn't legally required but is essential for hospital privileges and patient insurance networks

📈 Career Outlook & Considerations

  • Demand is steady and growing—driven by respiratory disease prevalence, aging patients, and ICU needs

  • Work settings include hospitals, ICU units, outpatient clinics, sleep centers, and academic medicine

  • Interventional pulmonology is rising as a procedural subspecialty offering higher earnings potential and career variety 

✅ Key Summary

CriteriaDetails
Role                   Diagnoses & treats lung/airway diseases
Salary Range                   $270k (entry) – $435k+ (top earners)
Training                   MD/DO + Internal Medicine (3 yr) + Fellowship (2–3 yr)
Certification                   ABIM Specialty Certification in Pulmonology
Licensing                   USMLE/COMLEX + State Medical License

Nephrologist Career Guide 2025: What to Expect in the U.S. Kidney Care Field

 

💰 Minimum & Maximum Annual Salary in the U.S. (2025)

Salaries for nephrologists vary based on experience, geographic location, and healthcare setting.

  • Entry-Level Salary: $190,000 – $230,000/year

  • Average Salary: $260,000 – $300,000/year

  • Top Earners: $350,000 – $420,000/year

Nephrologists working in high-demand rural areas or private practices may earn even more.

🔍 What Does a Nephrologist Do?

A Nephrologist is a specialized medical doctor who focuses on kidney health. They diagnose and treat chronic kidney disease (CKD), kidney failure, high blood pressure related to kidney function, kidney stones, and complications from dialysis or transplants.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Diagnosing and managing kidney disorders

  • Prescribing dialysis treatments and monitoring progress

  • Managing electrolyte and fluid imbalances

  • Coordinating kidney transplant care

  • Working closely with primary care physicians and urologists

🎓 Education Required

Becoming a nephrologist requires over a decade of higher education and clinical training:

  1. Bachelor’s Degree (4 years – science-focused)

  2. Medical School (MD or DO) (4 years)

  3. Internal Medicine Residency (3 years)

  4. Nephrology Fellowship (2–3 years)

Total: 13–14 years post-high school

📜 Certification

Nephrologists must be board certified to practice:

  • American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) certification in Internal Medicine and Nephrology

  • Optional additional certification in transplant nephrology or interventional nephrology

🪪 Licensing

Every practicing nephrologist in the U.S. must:

  • Pass the USMLE (for MDs) or COMLEX-USA (for DOs)

  • Apply for and maintain a valid state medical license

  • Complete continuing medical education (CME) annually

🏥 Where Do Nephrologists Work?

Nephrologists may practice in:

  • Hospitals and intensive care units

  • Dialysis centers

  • Kidney transplant programs

  • Academic research institutions

  • Private specialty clinics

⏳ Career Outlook

With the rise of diabetes and hypertension — major causes of kidney disease — the demand for nephrologists is expected to grow steadily.

🧾 Quick Reference Table

CategoryDetails
💼 Job Role                 Kidney care specialist
💵 Salary Range                $190K – $420K
🎓 Education                MD/DO + Residency + Fellowship
📜 Certification                ABIM in Internal Medicine + Nephrology
🪪 Licensing                USMLE/COMLEX + State license
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